Example 19: To the Supreme Being (Hallock)

The prayers we make will then be sweet indeedIf Thou the spirit give by which we pray.Our unassisted hearts are barren clay,Which of its native self can nothing feed:Of good and pious works Thou art the seed,Which quickens only when Thou say’st it may.Unless Thou show to us Thine own true way – No one can find it, Lord! Thou must lead.Do thou, then, breathe those thoughts into our mindsBy which such virtue may be bred,That in thy holy footsteps we may tread.The fetters of our tongues unbind, That we may have the grace By which our songs may rise to TheeThat we may sound thy praises everlastingly.